In an article written about the successful passing of the MORE Act bill in the house committee (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvest Expunge Act), the author Anna Gunther explains the views of those in favor of the federal legalization of recreational marijuana. The main actions of this bill are to federal legalize the drug, place a 5% tax on marijuana products to begin building a fund for those who were most effected by the war on drugs like people who lost family who were serving in law enforcement at the time and to expunge the record of those who were arrested and convicted of possession of marijuana. Anna makes it a point to mention how even though medical marijuana is legal in more than half the country and recreational use is becoming legal in more states, in states where it is illegal it is still considered a schedule 1 substance and treated in the same manner as other more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine. This means that even in states where it is legal, doctors are still not able to recommend it to patients suffering from mental problems like PTSD or depression or those who may want to try marijuana instead of taking opiates for pain relief. This does not reflect the public's view however, as Anna explains that in a poll taken by CBS News, 65% of Americans thought marijuana should be legal, and as time progresses legalization is gaining bipartisan support.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-act-bill-that-would-federally-decriminalize-marijuana-passes-house-committee-today-2019-11-20/
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